7th Street Theatre
Encyclopedia
The 7th Street Theatre is a theatre in downtown Hoquiam, Washington
. It is one of the few remaining examples of an atmospheric theatre
that remain in the United States. The not-for-profit 7th Street Theatre Association runs the theatre and coordinates a series of live shows, second-run feature films. The group aims to restore the Theatre, including new seats, rigging, and a digital projector.
The theatre was built in 1928 by Olaf T. Taylor, and was designed by Edwin St. John Griffith as a Spanish atmospheric theatre. There are murals on the ceiling in the lobby, along with a fountain. The fountain is not currently in use. Additionally, the auditorium features twinkling lights in the ceiling, and a recently installed sound system. It is currently undergoing a rigging replacement project, and a seat restoration pledge drive.
On March 20, 2008, volunteer staff unloaded a truck delivering the Theatre's original organ. By 1944 theatre organs had fallen out of fashion, and the organ was sold to Parkland's Trinity Lutheran Church by Balcom & Vaughan. Records indicate that three additional ranks were added at this time bringing the instrument up to a 2/7 (minus the toy counter and percussions). In 1960, the instrument was purchased by George Martin of Tacoma. Mr. Martin studied organ with Martha Green and Arnold Leverenz in the Seattle/Tacoma area between 1951 and 1953. He eventually moved the organ to his home in Clute, TX. It was purchased by a donation primarily from Tom Quigg and Pat Oleachea, and moved by truck back to the 7th Street Theatre. Estimates put the organ installation as complete as early as 2012, at a cost of approximately $12,000.
The 7th Street was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1987.
Hoquiam, Washington
Hoquiam is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington state, United States. The town borders the city of Aberdeen at Myrtle Street with Hoquiam to the west. The two cities share a common economic history in lumbering and exporting but Hoquiam has maintained its independent identity...
. It is one of the few remaining examples of an atmospheric theatre
Atmospheric theatre
An atmospheric theatre is a type of movie palace which has an auditorium ceiling that is intended to give the illusion of an open sky as its defining feature...
that remain in the United States. The not-for-profit 7th Street Theatre Association runs the theatre and coordinates a series of live shows, second-run feature films. The group aims to restore the Theatre, including new seats, rigging, and a digital projector.
The theatre was built in 1928 by Olaf T. Taylor, and was designed by Edwin St. John Griffith as a Spanish atmospheric theatre. There are murals on the ceiling in the lobby, along with a fountain. The fountain is not currently in use. Additionally, the auditorium features twinkling lights in the ceiling, and a recently installed sound system. It is currently undergoing a rigging replacement project, and a seat restoration pledge drive.
On March 20, 2008, volunteer staff unloaded a truck delivering the Theatre's original organ. By 1944 theatre organs had fallen out of fashion, and the organ was sold to Parkland's Trinity Lutheran Church by Balcom & Vaughan. Records indicate that three additional ranks were added at this time bringing the instrument up to a 2/7 (minus the toy counter and percussions). In 1960, the instrument was purchased by George Martin of Tacoma. Mr. Martin studied organ with Martha Green and Arnold Leverenz in the Seattle/Tacoma area between 1951 and 1953. He eventually moved the organ to his home in Clute, TX. It was purchased by a donation primarily from Tom Quigg and Pat Oleachea, and moved by truck back to the 7th Street Theatre. Estimates put the organ installation as complete as early as 2012, at a cost of approximately $12,000.
The 7th Street was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1987.